We don’t need State of Emergency what we need is FG support – Governor cries out
We don’t need State of Emergency what we need is FG support – Governor cries out
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has said that what the state urgently requires is robust federal support to tackle the ongoing security crisis.
He added that the state does not need a declaration of a state of emergency at the moment.
Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television on Wednesday, Governor Alia insisted that the worsening attacks in Benue are still within the state’s capacity to manage, provided it receives stronger backing from the Federal Government.
“What we need is emergency assistance, not an emergency declaration,” Alia said.
“We need absolute support. The federal government has made efforts—like sending two armoured tanks—and that changed the situation somewhat. But we need to go further and push out the armed invaders from our communities.”
The governor blamed the violence on herders, many of whom he claimed are foreign nationals who do not speak any known Nigerian language. He stressed the need to reclaim ancestral farmlands so displaced residents can return to their homes.
“Let the invaders return to wherever they came from and allow our people to go back to farming,” he added.
Dismissing any suggestions that the security challenges are overwhelming his administration, Alia noted that the number of local government areas under attack has dropped significantly—from 17 at the peak of the crisis to just six.
“That’s evidence of our capacity,” he said. “We’ve reduced the frontline LGAs under threat from 17 to nine, and now to six. We are making progress, but we need sustained support to fully secure the state.”
